Indian J Med Sci. 1998 Sep; 52(9): 383-94.

Prevention of E.N.T. diseases.

Apte NK, Kasbekar VG.

Bombay Hospital.

World Health Organization has announced 'HEALTH FOR ALL BY YEAR 2000'. Unfortunately the emphasis at present is only on early diagnosis of a disease and its treatment. The modern investigations and treatment has become very costly which a poor man cannot afford. Preventive medicine is less costly. The developing countries have many socio-economic problems of population explosion, poverty, ignorance, illiteracy, shifting of population from rural to urban areas for employment and traffic jams in cities. Rapid industrialization has resulted in indiscriminate cutting of trees and forests and increasing pollution. Under the present circumstances one wonders whether it would be possible to achieve the WHO's object of health for all or will it remain a dream! The role of 'Yoga and Meditation' and vegetarian diet has been recognised world over for maintenance of normal physical and mental health; these help to lessen mental tension in the present competitive world full of stress and strain for all of us. 3-4% of people in the world avail the beneficial effects of alternative system of medicine is complete as each has its own merits and limitations. Hence our aim should be to choose an integrated system of medicine which would help in preventing diseases and treat them early by a safe and effective procedure. In the present political situation in our country none of the parties have announced any definite programme for population control, through it is a grave problem. We will not be able to fulfil our object of reaching our target of Health for all without strict population control major. Unless this programme is undertaken seriously as a priority in a co-ordinated disciplined manner by all of us and completed in a given period of time, the younger generation will not forgive us. We hope that as true citizens of India we will not spare any efforts on our part in attaining this objective for a bright future.